Almonte (Missisipi Mills) – The Most Adorable Town in Eastern Ontario
One of the prettiest towns in Eastern Ontario, Almonte offers a charm that few places can match. My visits to the area began when I started collecting vinyl records on my weekend and I would drop by an old flee market at the town festival grounds on my weekends. I used to love coming to Almonte, not only was it prettier then most of the surrounding towns but it was a great place to wander around, duck in for a pint somewhere, and waste most of a day. In many ways I miss having time to kill like back then, those days are far behind me yet one cannot help but to think that in someways the town is perfectly preserved in time, frozen in my mind.
Table of Contents
A Brief History
This industrial town was founded in 1818 when the settler David Shepherd was given 200 acres of crown land to develop, own and operate a mill. The mill burned down in 1821 and the property was purchased by a Daniel Shipman. By the 1850’s there were seven mills in operations and the construction of the Ottawa and Brockville Railway running though town spurred growth. During these years the towns named transition from Shepherd’s Falls, to Shipman’s Mills, then to Ramsayville, even Waterford before finally becoming Almonte. The name Almonte came about when it was decided that since there was already a Canadian called Waterford it would be named after the Mexican general Juan Almonte. This was seen as an act of antagonism against the United States as there was lingering resentment from the War of 1812.
In 1942 the town was the site of a deadly train accident that killed 39 people. After the war life continued on as usual, with one caveat; the industry that once propelled the town out of obscurity was fading, although Almont’s citizens did not know it yet. By the 1980’s the last textile mill had shut down, leaving the industrial town without a dominant center of employment. Since then the town, relativly intact from its 19th century heyday, has fashioned itself as a tourist and film hub.
Exploring Almonte
Where best to start but at Almonte’s traditional Main Street (Mill Street). This part of the city is picturesque and has been used for many “Hallmark” type movie as well as featured in the Hollywood production of “Fat Man” a Mel Gibson and Walton Goggins alternative Christmas movie. The picturesque stretch of buildings is headlined by centennial square, a piece of land at the triangular intersection of Mill and Little Bridge Street. At the top of the square is the old Almonte post office, a remarkable building and a landmark of the town. The Romanesque Revival structure was designed in 1889 by Thomas Fuller (the architect of the Parliament Buildings in Ottawa). The building is considered to be a landmark and has been registered as a National Historic Site of Canada.
Also featured in the square is a monument to the creator of basketball James Naismith. The Almonte Native would create the game after his move to Springfield, Massachusetts a town that also commemorates his memory!
If you follow Little Bridge Street up north-east of the square, you will find the Almonte Town Hall, an impressive building in its own right. The gothic stone structure dates from 1885 and near it you will find an old mill grindstone. Among its many civic functions throughout the years, in one special oddity. The building was used as a temporary morgue during the train crash mentioned in the history stub of this article.
You will also find a war memorial, titled “The Volunteer” nearby. It was constructed in memory of the men of Almonte who passed during the First World War, the Second World Wars and the Korean War.
The town hall borders the Mighty Mississippi River (Well the Canadian version anyway…) and from here you can take one of Almonte most popular attractions, the “Riverwalk” south-west along the watercourse.
The riverwalk will also let you cross the river to the Almonte Floor Mill, a massive converted stone mill.
From the bridge you will get a sublime view of the river, more mill buildings, the stone barley and mow pub building and the Almonte Rapids/Grand Falls On Mississippi.
Back on the riverwalk you will get to see more of the towns industrial past, including the old masonry Thoburn Mill, now a condo complex with a tributary waterfall that leads into the Mississippi River.
You will find plenty of information placards as well as old pieces of machinery along your walk.
Eventually you will pass the Barley and Mow building and excellent place to grab a quick pint and nachos.
At the terminus of the walk you will find a old stone mill that houses condos and well as restaurants, including a breakfast place that serves up some delicious pancakes and fruit!
From this building you will get a fantastic view of the Grand Falls On Mississippi/rapids as well as the white painted hydroelectric facility.
Here are more pictures of this picturesque location.
Other Attractions
Mill of Kintail Conservation Area
Located just north of the city, this short hike hike along an old mill and ravine is very picturesque. The mill is a great companion to your exploration of Almonte as it contains the R. Tait Mackenzie Museum, dedicated to this artist and his work as well and the Naismith Museum dedicated to Almonte’s most recognizable man James Naismith. To read more about this stunning heritage property click here.
Auld Kirk Cemetery (Almonte United Church Cemetery)
As you may well know from reading this blog, I love cemeteries. This ancient burial ground is located west of the city and is home to a beautiful chapel. To read more about this stunning heritage property click here.
Mississippi Valley Textile Museum
Located on Coleman’s Island just north of the rapids (3 Rosamond Street East), this massive textile mill, turned museum seeks to interpret the regions rich history in the wollen arts (textiles)! The two-storey stone Renaissance Revival styled warehouse was constructed in 1872, with an office addition in 1904. Mills like this adorned the Mississippi Valley as new technologies allowed the mechanization of textiles. Mr. Rosamond who constructed this structure also owned a mill in nearby Carleton Place. Thus this building is important as an early example of a mechanized mill structure.
Unfortunately most of the mill is now a private residence (filled with the “No Trespassing” kind of people that dont view heritage structures as at least partially in the public domain). In behind it you will find a path leading north over a set of waterfalls.
From the bridge you will have a good view of the mill as well as the previously mentioned falls that once powered them!
Conclusion
Almonte is the perfect day trip from Ottawa. I hope that you can develop the same love and attachment that I once felt for this old industrial gem. Slow down and ajust to the slow pace of Almonte life, you will not regret it!
